House gives preliminary OK to ban on abortion at 20 weeks, tighter regulations

The Texas House gave preliminary approval early Monday morning to a ban on abortion 20 weeks into pregnancy and stricter regulations on the procedure, after Republicans mustered enough support to cut off debate.

The 97-33 vote came at 3:23 a.m. It was largely along party lines, although Rep. Sarah Davis, R-West University Place, voted against it. Democrats listed as voting for it were Reps. Ryan Guillen of Rio Grande City, Abel Herrero of Robstown, Armando Martinez of Weslaco, Sergio Muñoz Jr. of Mission and Joe Pickett of El Paso.

The gallery, packed with abortion-rights supporters, erupted in boos and shouts of “shame” at the action.

Another House vote is required for the bill to return to the Senate for consideration of
House changes. Prospects for passing the bill are difficult since the special session’s last day is Tuesday.

Senators earlier approved stricter abortion regulations in Senate Bill 5, but the House added the 20-week ban. That means another Senate vote will be required to approve the bill, leaving it vulnerable to a filibuster by one of the Democratic senators who oppose it.

Besides the 20-week ban, SB5 would impose stricter regulations on clinics, which opponents said would cause many to close; require doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles; and tighten regulations on administration of abortion-inducing medication.

The initial vote for the bill by Rep. Jodie Laubenberg, R-Parker, came after Democrats used delaying tactics throughout the day against the legislation, which they say would make safe, legal abortions much harder to obtain.

Supporters, including most Republicans, contend the legislation is meant to make the procedure safer while protecting unborn children at the point at which they can feel pain, although that idea is disputed.

Opponents pointed to a tweet by Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst after Senate passage of the measure suggesting it was passed to shut down clinics and essentially ban abortion.

The House convened at 2 p.m., but SB5 wasn’t taken up until 7:30 p.m., and Democrats continued to lodge objections and engage in lengthy questioning throughout the debate.

Gov. Rick Perry can call another special session if the legislation fails. He is the only one who can call a special session, and he controls its agenda.